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Messages - mlt22193

Brad, I live near Huntington Station. I get on and get off at either Eisenhower or King. Hit the Starbucks then I'm good to go. I know what you mean about coming from Kingstowne. Do you come down Franconia or Telegraph? Either way its a nightmare. Unfortunately, I'm switching job sites and will be out on Gallows Rd. No more bike commute for me.

One other thing...we don't lack mass transit. Metro is pretty good. I actually bike a block, get on the Metro, go 2 stops get off and continue on the MVT. However, I work off peak hours so can take my bike on. You can't take it on the Metro during rush hours. They really need to change that.

I'm living in Alexandria and most if not all the folks who bike-commute take the Mt. Vernon Trail into the district. If you move further out the Washington and Old Dominion Trail is the commuter trail of choice. It connects up with other trails and eventually the Mt Vernon Trail. WABA is a great bicycle advocacy group in this area, check out their website. I believe they have a section on commuting where you can meet up with other cyclist who will show you the way. BTW...nothing here is "cheap". Good luck.

How far east and how long is the trip? I've left my car overnight at Assateague Visitor's Center parking lot. And along RT. 50 there are alot of motels around Salisbury ( Hmmm, you might try the college ), Cambridge, Easton. If you stay overnight in one of them you might see if you can keep your car parked there while you do the trip. I've done that before. The eastern shore is very cycling friendly and really nice roads. Check out Blackwater Nature Area while you're over there.

Why not spend some time here in Washington, DC and cycle around the area, seeing the monuments, the Capitol, White House, etc. It is a very bike friendly town. You could try the C&O Canal Trail which is a rail trail that goes from Washington to Cumberland MD. Its 186 miles through some beautiful country. The kids will like the river, the historical town of Harpers Ferry, and you can camp in areas set aside for camping about every 5 miles. It is very remote, though.You need to find something that the kids will like. I'm sure other posters will have more input. Good luck with the trip.

I may have to disagree about riding the Parkway into Va. in the middle of November. My experience is it can be downright cold that time of year. Its not unusual for the temps. to be below freezing. And most of the leaves are gone by then, anyway. Now, middle of October is beautiful. but November? You may want to stay as far south as possible. I agree about the coastal routes, beautiful.

Read everything you can get your hands on. Get the maps for the route you want and cross reference with other sources of information. Look for sales and start collecting equipment. (REI is having sales, BTW) I use Backpacker Magazine for info on eq. otherwise it can be intimidating comparing weight, size, etc. You live in Wisconsin? I'm betting you already have some clothes you'll need. Good luck.

I second the "Miles From Nowhere" book. I've read that book dozens of times, sometimes just opening it to a random page and reading. Even though it was written over 20 years ago its still one of the best travel books written. It makes me sick to think she died shortly after they returned home. Hit by a car while riding her bike near home.

Girlfriend and I are planning on touring Maine next summer for about 10 days. Big question...HOW DO WE GET OUR BIKES THERE??? We plan on flying (we live in Va.) its quicker and we don't want to spend time out of our 10 days to get there. I'd rather not box up bikes myself and put them on a plane. Are there other options? Can they be shipped to a bike store in Portland? Is this a stupid question? I don't know, you tell me!!

Also, I lived in Maine for 8 years awhile back but never saw it from "biker" eyes. We plan on starting in Portland, going up the coast to maybe Camden then back south inland a bit. Anybody ever do this and have any suggestions? We want to hit Brunswick and down to Harpswell and Bailey Island and on the way back down maybe Sebago Lake. Is this do-able? We will be doing B&B's or motels and unsuspecting friends.

Any help with routes, off the beated track roads, and such would be great. Trying to stay off RT. 1. I hear that's horrible.

I didn't see anyone mention all the packages of tuna, salmon, chicken you can get in any grocery store. They're already seasoned, don't need to be kept cold and are in packets instead of cans. They pack small and are light. And they don't need to be cooked. Sometimes I'll mix the tuna with a diced up avocado and eat right out of the packet. Or roll it all up in a tortilla. I agree, go fresh with the fruits and veggies whenever you can. I also found one serving pudding envelopes at Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's is a great store to find "odd" packaged food.